Ellie Park, Multimedia Managing Editor

On Thursday evening, 1,580 applicants to Yale opened their portals to be greeted by Yale’s signature chant, bursts of confetti and the news of their admission into the class of 2029.  

The regular decision admits join 728 students who were accepted through Yale’s single-choice early action program, along with 66 students admitted via the Yale QuestBridge National College Match. In total, Yale received 50,227 applications to the College’s class of 2029 — the third-largest applicant pool in the University’s history. Of those, 2,308 students — or 4.59 percent — were offered admission and 943 were offered a spot on the waitlist. 

The admitted students represent all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories and 65 countries, and they come from more than 1,575 secondary schools worldwide.

The class of 2029 will also be joined by 38 students admitted during the 2023-24 cycle who decided to postpone their matriculation for one year. 

The class of 2029 were admitted to Yale amidst new shifts in the University’s admissions process. 

In early February, the University announced that it would be increasing its undergraduate class size by 100 students, to a total of 1,650 students per class. However, the proposed total college size of 6,600 students is still lower than the current size of the Yale student body at around 6,700 due to COVID-19 deferrals of enrollment. 

“I am thrilled that the change allows Yale to provide more life-changing opportunities to more students,” wrote Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid. “By expanding enrollment, we increase Yale’s excellence, broaden our graduates’ reach, and magnify their impact in communities around the world.”

After four years of a test-optional policy that allowed applicants to decide whether to submit test scores, the class of 2029 applicants had to submit standardized test scores. Applicants could select one or more types of tests from a list of four options — SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate. Those who choose to send AP or IB scores are required to include results from all subject exams that they have taken.

During the first test-flexible admissions cycle, both early applications and international applicant numbers declined compared to previous years.

The class of 2029 is also the second to be admitted since the Supreme Court struck down race-conscious college admissions. In the class of 2028, the first admitted with race-blind admissions, Black and Latine enrollment remained stable while the share of Asian American students slightly decreased.

In April, the admissions office will invite all newly admitted students to visit campus for Bulldog Days, a three-day experience where admitted students can experience life at Yale through campus tours, panels and student performances.

Admitted students will have until May 1 to respond to their offer of admission.